07 Feb 2019 14:44:46
Ed002, I've been scanning through Sharkopod 20 and 21 for ages now trying to find the bit about Barcelona to no avail. Any chance you could tell me which one and what minute the Barce bit is? I notice it's sort of in alphabetical order, but I'm pulling my hair out here looking for it. Thanks so much.

{Ed002's Note - Philippe Countinho Barcelona are open to moving Coutinho on as it is not working out as well as hoped. He will be offered to clubs in exchange or part exchange of Barcelona targets and is generally being offered around to a number of sides that were represented in meetings held in Geneva this past week.}

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20 Jan 2019 23:09:57
Presumably Barcelona expect a hefty fee for him? Any chance they would be open to loan deals or loans to buy?RJ28P

{Ed002's Note - To? I really have no idea what you are talking about, sorry.}

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21 Jan 2019 07:44:14
Thanks for your response Ed. If I'm not asking for too much, please can you share players that the club is interested in trading Coutinho off with. Again where do you personally think he would end up at.Tusole

{Ed002's Note - It doesn't work like that - they have targets (as per the Sharkopod) and they will use him where they can. Else they will try and sell him - perhaps a good offer from China.}

15 Jan 2019 13:55:50
Ed’s I’ve been following this site for many years but I’ve forgotten my login and password so remade it. Was just wondering if Barca have actual interest in stuani. Thanks if you can help

{Ed002's Note - They needs cover and Stuani is an option. Others are less keen and point to Munir not getting game time.}

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15 Jan 2019 16:05:59
Cheers ed, Appreciate it as I’m of Uruguayan desc descent
And a Liverpool supporter, I’m just happy for any one of the few us there are moving forward and being in the limelight. Hopefully for me Liverpool get laxalt at some point.
Thanks againSeb

{Ed002's Note - It probabbly needs an update but, without timescales it is something like this:
Barcelona will be constrained to adding only one South American/non-Euro/non-Cotenau player without another leaving but in the bigger scheme of things they have an aging squad and they need to raise funds to support an ambitious plan to rebuild. They have been looking at and considering:

Jeroen Zoet (GK)
Alejandro Iturbe (GK) - Kiddie from Atletico that an English side have made an illegal approach for.

Ferland Mendy (LWB) - seen as a cost effective Lucas Digne replacement if Juan Miranda is not ready to step up from the B squad - a good one for the future but Lyon will want too much for a player who could end up being used as cover
Mikel Balenziaga (LB) Athletic will sell for a small fee in January if they can and he would provide just the solution Barcelona need - Valverde wants him but others want to utilise B team players if they can and save money for starters
Marco Alonso (LWB) - only if Jordi Alba were to leave, but player is happy where he is right now
Alex Telles (LWB) - emerging as a favourite after Alonso if Jordi Alba were to leave but serious interest from elsewhere

Joshua Kimmich (RWB) - primary target
Moussa Wague (RWB) – a solution to step up from the B squad after losing out on Alvaro Odriozola

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) preferred choice and Barcelona will likely make an offer for MdL and FdJ as a pair in January - but MdL is very much a January target that looks to be heading elsewhere now
Jeison Murillo (CB) - on loan as a short term fix until the summer - done
Dayot Upamecano (CB) an option to MdL but seen as over priced
Andreas Christensen (CB) seen as a more affordable option
Unai Nunez (CB)
Malang Sarr (CB) - expensive Umtiti replacement – unlikely
Leonardo Balerdi (CB) if he joins he will be loaned back or sent on loan
Djené Dakonam (CB)
Jean-Clair Todibo (CB)

Two CM wanted:
Frenkie de Jong (CM) remains a primary target and the player has agreed the move with Barcelona trying to get the €80M asking price reduced
Adrien Rabiot (CM) - will look for a pre-contract in January and take the player in the summer whilst PSG will continue to strike a deal now but it is really now at risk
Paul Pogba (CM) Expensive, Barcelona will try and include a player in any move, some discussions with Mino but no approach to MU or formal offer and wages will be an issue (unless they can off-load Messi in 2020)
Saul Niguez (CM) interest dates back to a gentleman's agreement that cannot be invoked but seems to be constantly rumoured - not of interest any longer
Rodrigo Bentancur (M) very unlikely
Kevin Kampl (CM) - far down the list back
Aisar Illarramendi (CM) - cheap cover
Dani Parejo (CM)
Pablo Fornals (CM - a back up option
Exequiel Palacios (CM) - heading elsewhere

Lucas Paqueta (AM) - Barcelona have looked again now that Coutinho has taken Portuguese citizenship (although UEFA could yet object) but the player has his heart set on a move elsewhere which is already tentatively agreed but Flamengo are asking if Barcelona will improve the Milan deal which has been agreed in principle already - Kaka involved (€5 million when he signs the contract, €15 million in January 2019, €10m in July 2019 and €5m in January 2020 - I expect he will join Milan as agreed

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – interest is there but interest from elsewhere could win out
Cristian Pavon (RW/F) - staying where he is for now and then will likely head to Barcelona or another English side at some point
Mo Salah (RW/F) would have considered him, but not at the amount of money his agent wanted off RM and only without his required "unique contract clause" - right now the chance is near zip
Kylian Mbappe (RW/F) would need a swap with Dembele and some - a maybe option
Steven Bergwijn (LW/AM) - unlikely
Hirving Lozano (LW/F)

Pedrinho (AM) one for the future
A report in Sport claims that Nou Camp chief Ernesto Valverde will use the two Champions League ties in February and March to scout Nabil Fekir, Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele – all three of which play in a similar position to Coutinho.

Antoine Griezmann (F) - to replace Suarez, looking unlikely with the player having other ideas.
Gabriel Jesus (F) as an alternative to Griezmann
Timo Werner (S) – unlikely as he is eventually expected to head elsewhere, but Barcelona have continued to scout him but it would need a change of style or him to adapt - hard to see where he naturally fits in
Roberto Firmino (F) has been considered as a potential addition and way down the list for both Barcelona and the previously considering Bayern Munich.
Harry Kane (S)
Neymar (F) Barcelona's Plan X is scrap everything, bring Neymar back and rebuild the attack around him.}

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28 Dec 2018 13:45:53
Wow Ed002, amazing as usual. Could i be greedy and ask where MDL is expected to be heading for now? Thanks scholes_18_18

{Ed002's Note - They would certainly sell but there is no interest I am aware of. They may look to use him in a trade.}

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25 Dec 2018 09:58:51
What a fast reply, thanks a lot! I suppose it would be a trade with a top top player, if such a trade were to take place? Given the amount of money they paid for him.
Anyways, thanks for the reply - hope you have a nice holiday and hopefully some time off too.EmilSC

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you mean by "top top player". Liverpool fans have no been able to grasp the amount of money paid nor the structure of the payments at all. Have a great holiday period.}

{Ed001's Note - not sure as there were high hopes for Cucurella at one point, and he has just been promoted from the youth teams. They were having a look at some left backs, but Digne was a back up so it really depends on other signings as to whether they just give Cucurella the role or go and buy a cheap back up. Money can only be stretched so far.}

{Ed002's Note - A I have explained, Pogba has been offered to Barcelona and three other sides and at this time none have said if they are interested or not. Right now his agent is preoccupied dealing with another player and perhaps they will look again for interest after that.}

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21 Jul 2018 23:01:18
Which player would that be, if you Can tell? :)EmilSC

{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant and nothing to do with Barcelona.}

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21 Jul 2018 23:14:09
Okay I understand - thanks for a very swift reply! Have a Nice weekend!EmilSC

19 Jul 2018 12:24:42
Hello Ed002. I know the Eden Hazard saga has been done to death in terms of Real Madrid wanting to secure his devices this summer, but I was wondering if Barcelona might throw their name in as well as has been reported? And are both teams (if interested) in completing a move for him?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what has been reported but Barcelona has made no approach to Chelsea about Hazard and they are not in a position to buy him without selling players - and they have other priorities.}

{Ed002's Note - Ousmane Dembele would like more game time and Barcelona would be open to him going but it is unlikely as the asking price is well beyound what clubs would pay - and that is driven by their significantly overpaying in the first place.}

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07 Aug 2018 10:21:01
Any new information about dembele? Which clubs are interested? No possible loan move? Thanks in advance!Lemtin

{Ed002's Note - No, there is nothing new. Everything previously said still stands.}

Apologies if you have already answered this on here or the European pages, I've tried the search function and haven't found anything since January, but with Griezmann signing a new contract with Atletico, I am wondering who Barcelona see as potential incomings in the forward areas instead of him? And also, is there any update on Luis Suarez getting offered to clubs (I saw you say the clubs he had been offered to a little while ago weren't interested) - is he now likely to stay this Summer?

You have repeatedly said Barca would be willing to listen to good offers for Dembele. Could you tell who are the clubs that are genuinely interested in the player? I assume the asking price would put off many clubs. Also He is young, would Barca put in some buy back clauses on the lad if they sell him?

{Ed002's Note - You need to put aside any thoughts of "buy back" clauses for a player of such a high value. The asking price is far too high for the three clubs that were approached about him. So right now there is no interest.}

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04 Jun 2018 12:17:55
Thanks Ed02, Which are three clubs that approached Barcelona mate?I have no name

{Ed002's Note - Certainl Real Madrid are interested but I understand that the financial demands being made by the player and his agent are excessive. There might also be a potential issue over a contract clause. REgardless, I think it very unlikely that Liverpool would be open to selling him after only one season.}

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26 Apr 2018 05:19:50
Potential issues over contract clause. will it be possible to explain what issues in it. thankspraveenlfc

On the United page you said Umtiti may leave Barca as his demands are quite high(or something along these lines) but Barca want to secure a replacement before he leaves. So could you tell who Barca are looking at as his replacement if he ends up leaving.

27 Feb 2018 10:49:21
Ed 002
A number of rumours suggesting Dembele wants to go on loan next season to a PL club
Seems an odd idea and probably the usual nonsense from the UK press but would appreciate your thoughts.
Many thanks
T.